A growing majority of jobs today require sitting at a desk for long periods of time and staring at a computer screen. Stress from inactivity, office chatter and deadline pressures can overwhelm the nervous system prompting feelings of depression or, on the flip side, high-anxiety.
The Body's Reaction to Stress
Stress is a beneficial. Well, sometimes. When stress due to injury or short-term illness is perceived by the nervous system, a cascade of events occurs, namely the production of hormones that in turn trigger the production of immune fighting agents. These stress-triggered hormones alert the immune system to quickly respond.
Stress also stimulates our adrenal glands during times when we need to flee from danger or when we need intense focus to make an impending deadline. However, continuous levels of stress, known as chronic stress, can actually suppress the immune system, decreasing its vital role in warding off diseases and infections. The aim of our body's autonomic nervous system is to maintain a balance between the sympathetic (get up and go) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system components.
Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, muscle tension (including migraines), digestive disorders, higher susceptibility to colds and flu and just a general feeling of yuckiness.
Taking Action with Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries to relieve stress and facilitate a sense of well being. In the last few years, lavender has hit the main stage and now widely recognized for its calming properties. A recent 2009 Japanese study on rats found that linalool, a major compound of lavender and many other essential oils, decreased stress-elevated levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes (key components of the immune system) and returned them back to near-normal levels. Remarkably, this study also found that inhaled linalool reduced the activity of more than 100 genes that go into overdrive in stressful situations.
An increasing amount of science literature is dedicated to finding sources to relieve levels of stress. Recent studies indicate that essential oils, such as cedarwood, grapefruit, lemon and of course lavender are a safe and effective means to relieve work-related stress. Below is a review of research focused on lemon and cedarwood essential oils.
Some Research on Specific Aromatics
Lavender is commonly used to calm the mind and relax the body. In 2008, two separate studies from Japanese universities found that aromatherapy of lavender decreased levels of cortisol (referred to as the "stress hormone") in humans after experiencing stress.
It is unlikely that the daily stresses created in the workplace will completely disappear. Dealing with stress in the workplace is of course unique to every individual. A growing body of science evidence points to the stress-reducing properties of essential oils, most notably those that contain linalool. The use of essential oils, whether to uplift the spirits or to calm the mind and body, is an effective and safe way to alleviate work-related stress. When deadlines are looming, the gift of essential oils can be priceless.
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